The European County Sheriff’s Office said an explosion occurred in a rural Esparto community, about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento.
At a press conference just after 9pm, Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence said that a safe boundary around the main fire will be maintained overnight while crews work to put out small spot fires in the area.
Witnesses reported repeated bursts of fireworks after hearing a big explosion just after 6pm on Tuesday. Several streets were closed and emergency dispatchers received numerous calls about the incident.
“A lot of people may have heard of it, but today there was a significant explosion near the Esparto/Madison area,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The European County Department of Emergency Services has confirmed that the building is a commercial fireworks facility. Winters police also said several “major explosions” occurred during the event.
Cal Fire named Oakdale Fire the flame. It quickly spread to nearby vegetation near Highway 16 and Oakdale Ranch Lane.
Firefighters from Esparto, Madison and Winters responded along with Cal’s fire areas and air units.
Authorities have established a mile evacuation zone around the site. Advances in the vegetation fire stopped after burning about 78 acres.
“We urge everyone to avoid the community so that firefighters and emergency responders can work safely,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
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